San Marino is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,945.
This upscale San Gabriel Valley city is comparable with Beverly Hills. However, San Marino is a predominantly Chinese American neighborhood, with the white population gradually shrinking. San Marino is regarded as having one of the best-performing schools within the area.
Huntington Drive and Sierra Madre Boulevard serve as the main thoroughfares, leading to Pasadena, Alhambra and San Gabriel.
Overall
San Marino is a small, upper middle class to upper class, relatively educated community, with populated by Chinese American professionals living in the area. Other upper-class Chinese American communities include nearby Arcadia and faraway Diamond Bar.
Geography
San Marino is located at 34°7'22" North, 118°6'47" West (34.122658, -118.112964)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.8 km² (3.8 mi²). 9.8 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
The streets are smoothly paved, the houses vary from medium to very, very large, and the lawns are generally kept. There are many trees in the neighborhood, most cultivated by private home owners.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 12,945 people, 4,266 households, and 3,673 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,325.8/km² (3,430.5/mi²). There are 4,437 housing units at an average density of 454.4/km² (1,175.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 47.72% White, 0.25% African American, 0.05% Native American, 48.56% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. 4.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,266 households out of which 42.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.0% are married couples living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 13.9% are non-families. 12.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.03 and the average family size is 3.29.
In the city the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 29.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 43 years. For every 100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $117,267, and the median income for a family is $125,708. Males have a median income of $98,928 versus $49,853 for females. The per capita income for the city is $59,150. 5.0% of the population and 3.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.8% are under the age of 18 and 3.0% are 65 or older.
Politics
San Marino is a highly conservative community. There also is large support for Asian interests. Elected positions are often held by private citizens.
To preserve its upper-crust feel, the city council has passed numerous stringent ordinances, including laws against the use of power equipment on quiet Sunday afternoons and against dead lawns. Punishment for failing to comply is a hefty fine. Many contracted gardeners, many of whom are Hispanics, are required to have city permits to work in private residential neigborhoods. These laws provide a much peaceful and cleaner environment compared to most gritty, working-class suburbs of the San Gabriel Valley.
Schools
There are four public schools in San Marino: Valentine Elementary (School), Carver Elementary(School), Huntington Middle School, And San Marino High (School).
The two elementary schools offer instruction for K-5. The middle school offers instruction for grades 6-8. The high school offers instruction for grades 9-12.
San Marino is considered one of the best-preforming public school on Standardized Achievement Tests (as of 2004) in Southern California. Because of the academical merit, it is also one of the worst-funded schools in the area, due to California's laws of only aiding schools that preform poorly. The overwhelming test scores are therfore largely possible by the amount of tutors the San Marino students recieve, most of which have more than 2 or 3.
Do not send your children here if you want a better education. They will not recieve it directly in a school setting. Also, drug and gang activities are lower than many other cities around it.
Restaurants
As San Marino is wary of admitting chain businesses, there are few restaurants in town, all of which rest on Huntington Drive or Mission Street. Big-box stores are practically non-existent in the area. Tony's Pizza, a local favorite that delivers only within San Marino, is located next to the high school. Colonial Kitchen is a quaint place to go for traditional American food. Vanille is a new (opened 2003) store, selling European-style pastries with a decidedly Asian tone. There is two Starbucks, one located in the heart of San Marino and the other on the outskirts. There is also a Lollicup, which is a kind of a fast-food/cafe restraunt that serves Asian drinks and delicacies.